Infiniti G35 Coupe

gccambridge

I'm picking up a silver G35 6mt this afternoon and can't wait!

I'm thinking of getting the clear 3M hood mask. I don't want the full blown Autobahn Package - just want something to protect the metal on the hood. Any suggestions on where I can get it? Also, any good online sites for accessories, parts, etc.?

wibble

Does the dealership do it? I got mine done where I bought the car. A good price and they warrantied it too so if there is a problem I don't have to take the car to a third party.

rqc

You can find installers at:

http://www.invinca-shield.com/main.htm

snagiel

Indeed, I bought the Invinca-Shield kit directly from them, and applied it myself. It was a fair bith cheaper than the XPel kit, which I had bought for my previous car. I'd say the fit was very good in most places, and the areas where it wasn't as good (e.g. lower bumper) aren't as visible, anyway.

gccambridge

Thanks everyone for the inputs. I found a full kit on eBay for $190 (bumper, hood, plus a couple more pieces). The material is the same - 3M - so I've emailed previous buyers to ask how well the cut is.

Anyway, I have been calling installers and had an interesting conversation with a body shop owner who advised against it. He said that the cover takes to scratches very easily - so after a while - it begins to show. Particularly bad on dark color cars (blue, black, even red). He said silver (my coupe) would be better but that after a while you would still notice it. He said - if the nicks really begin to bother you - just have it repainted!

Any thoughts/reactions to this? Anybody have the clear bra on your car for about a year and how does it look now??

Thanks folks!!! Thoroughly enjoying the G35... And yes, it does have a high clutch! But I am getting used to that now. It is heavy as well - though was already used to that coming from an E34 530i.

G35 is the best car I've ever had!!!

rqc

That body shop guy is nuts. If anything, it's less likely to be scratched. I've had mine for just under a year and it looks great. Go for it. You will save yourself so many paint chips from rocks and front end damage from bugs, your car will look great for so much longer. And if something bad does happen to the film, it's a lot easier and less expensive to replace than damage to the paint would be.

snagiel

Agree with rgc: Either that guy was clueless, or he's hoping you'll patronize him when you're up for a repaint.

sweetc230

The G Coupe was rated #1 in resale according to KBB. 68% 2 year retained value and 50% 5 year retained value.

Whata SWEET RIDE!!!!

gccambridge

Thanks for the inputs folks!

I decided to pick up the clear bra kit from eBay (checked with previous buyers and they were happy with the seller) and will install it myself. Its the same 8mm 3M that the major kits use. Kit cost $200 with shipping. Seller included some extra film to use for the doors, etc.

Another bodyshop owner I spoke with said I could bring my car to his shop and he'd actually show me how to do it! Overall, I feel pretty good about doing the install - I figure noone will give it more attention to detail than yourself!

snaigel - any tips on the install?

snagiel

1) Start early in the day, and leave plenty of time. If you're installing the full kit (headlights, hood, bumper, fenders, A-pillars, mirrors), you might want to break it up over a couple of days, since it'll probably take 6-8 hours. Someone who's familiar with the process can probably do it in half the time.
2) Work in a shady yet well-lit area. Under full sun, the paint can get extremely hot, and the alcohol solution (used to bind the film with the headlights) dries up too quickly.
3) Use plenty of the soap-water solution. Don't be stingy.
4) Be very methodical and patient, and it will be fine. Keep a close eye on what you just did, since the window of opportunity for fixing misalignments, bubbles, and folds shuts in about 5-10 minutes.
5) If/when you need to make a correction, pull back on the material very gently, and use plenty of the solution to help un-stick.
6) Don't touch the sticky part of the film, especially with dry fingers (it'll leave permanent finger prints).

Good luck.

Kirstie_H

A reporter is interested in speaking with former BMW owners or enthusiasts who have found an alternative to BMW. If you would be interested in speaking with this reporter about why you now prefer a different vehicle, please forward your contact information to Pam Krebs, Edmunds.com PR, at pkrebs@edmunds.com. Please respond by end-of-day Friday, August 27. Thank you.

gccambridge

Thanks again for the tips! Hate to say it, but after putting on the clear bra on the hood... I just could not get used to the look... The edge lines really show on silver!!! Uuuuuhhhggg... I realize its subjective... But I decided to pull it off and will opt for keeping my G35 obsessively waxed (especially hood and front bumper) and if I must, eventually repaint. Live and learn I guess!

Thanks for all the advice! If any one wants a full bumper piece clear bra - I've got one CHEAP!!! (its a full one piece cover - plus side mirror covers) It'll be on eBay soon enough...

bigbadboss101

Any noticeable differences between the 03 and 04?

wibble

Nothing major. A tire pressure monitoring system (basically a warning light for low tire pressure), a faster changing CD player and a new colour (Twilight Blue). Details are at;
http://www.infinitinews.com/infiniti/2004vehicles/g35sportcoupe/g- lance.shtml

bigbadboss101

Ok, I was wondering other things being equal, how much more an 04 would be worth more than the 03. There is a 03 locally that has about 4,000km more than the 04. Everything else is the same. Cost difference is $2000 Cdn.

bigbadboss101

Another thing, did the 03's have heater seats? The 04 has the front center console. Not quite sure what the 03 had. Deciding between the price extra to pay for the 04 vs 03.

wibble

2003s had heated seats. The centre console is that same on the 2003 and 2004 automatics. It is different on the 2003 and 2003.5 6MT cars but the same on the 2003.5 and 2004 cars.

rayukusa

Hi all, hope you can help me out...I am starting to look at a new car and I have narrowed it down to the G35, 350Z, Impreza WRX STi, Lancer Evo and possibly Pontiac GTO..

Please help me decide...I am definately leaning towards the G35 but I just wanted to gain advice from the people in the know..ie you!

Thanks
Ray

gambit293

I wish I had that dilemma!

Personally, I think all of them are fabulous cars.
If it was me, I'd probably go with the G35.

You haven't decided on 2 doors or 4? 2 seats or 4? If you're living somewhere in a snowbelt, you'll definitely want to consider the Sti and Evo. The Evo is a wicked looking car, but I'd worry about warranty support from Mitsubishi.

Mr_Shiftright

G35--decent looking, fun, grown up, good all-around car.

350Z--personally, I don't think this car is going to look very good in a few years. Styling is a bit tortured

Impreza WRX STi, Lancer Evo--only if you are 25 years old.

Pontiac GTO--if you like the muscle car driving style but don't want to stand out in a crowd while doing it.

wetfinger

this car is way over priced inside the car it is very bland and cheap looking ....... the out side looks great but the paint job looks bland it looks like they only gave it one coat of paint......... plus the car doesnt sound loud......... went to a dealer and they wanted 37,000 ... i could not believe the price.. the car is only worth about 24000 dollars.. wow what a high markup .........

wibble

What's the weather like on your planet?

xbomber

OK, no snide remarks. I'm trying to get through a few months of winter driving without busting the checking acount. I've found that 16" winter tires cost about 1/2 to 1/3 the price of 17" and 18" tires.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried to fit 16 inch wheels over the Brembro brakes?

wibble

Just had a look and I don't think it's going to work. I'd pop down to your local wheel emporium and see if they can fit something but it looks like the dual piston Brembos are going to get in the way.

snagiel

Not a chance with the 16's, and a lot of 17-inchers won't work either (need enough offset to cover the lateral space of the calipers, not necessarily their diameters).

xbomber

Thanks for the input. I hate to have to spend more than $1000 for 3 months of "chance of snow"

snagiel

Trust me, I can sympathize. I'm still struggling to decide whether to do it myself (I live in the DC area). Last year taught me even trying to drive with the 6-speed's summer tires is a nightmare in even light snow. So my wife and I shared her car as much as possible, which I suspect we'll do again this year. (Oh, and the cheapest 17" package I found, including shipping, was closer to $1200 on TireRack.)

wibble

I've been told that the 17" from the 350Z will fit over the Brembos. Have a look on E-Bay. Lots of folks selling wheel/tire sets there.

CRJ

Hi...I was wondering if anyone can offer their opinion about snow tires for a 2003 G35 Coupe Leather. The car currently has the Performance Tire and Wheel Package with the 18" alloy wheels and performance tires (225/45R18-front & 245/45R18-rear). I was looking at Bridgestone Blizzak's at TireRack. They recommend either the 17" WS-50 (225/50QR17 & 225/55QR17) or the 18" LM-22 (225/45VR18 & 245/45VR18). Has anyone used either of these tires on the G35 Coupe and if so what's your opinion of them? Since the car came with the 18" tire package, will it matter if I put 17" snow tires on the car? I am also looking at dedicated wheels for the snow tires. There is a significant savings if I go with the 17" WS-50's instaed of the 18" LM-22's. I live in northeastern NY, and we do get a lot of snow so the tires performance in the snow is most important to me. From what I have read the WS-50 seems to be rated slightly better in terms of being able to handle snowfall. Have others found this to be true?

Thanks in advance for your opinion.

marauder73

You don't buy a car like this for snow driving! Keep it looking pretty in your garage and take the wife's car! This beauty does not belong on a slushy or muddy road! This is your baby!!

tim_hooligan

Keep it looking pretty in your garage and take the wife's car!

Marauder, that's a very iffy statement you're making!!! My wife works and has the 4wd ride. If she's going to work, how am I supposed to get to MY job?

I guess you were assuming that women don't work? You're assuming THEY don't go anywhere when it snows? Because from your premise and conclusion, that's a valid assumption!

Say it ain't so!

Snow tires and a couple coats of wax and you're in business.

ajvdh

Oh please. It's just a car. It's gonna depreciate anyway. Buy a set of snows and enjoy. RWD is big fun if you have good tires.

simon562

I picked up my 2005 G35 Sports Coupe over the weekend. I love the car. I have one complaint - the Bose stereo. When I test drove a 2004, the stereo did not sound very good. The salesman said he though something was wrong with it. My Bose sounds just as bad. The problem appears to be with the FM stereo. The CD sounds great for both CD's and MP3's (I love the MP3 player). The stereo almost sounds like it gets poor reception. Does anyone else have similar opinions of the stereo.

colonel35

The stereo does sound better with CD's and XM radio than it does with FM/AM, but that's true of nearly all audio systems. Overall, I'd say the stereo is the best one I've had, but not nearly as good as the ones I've heard in the Acura TL and the ML system in the Lexus 430 (simply amazing).

Oh, and rule number one about the test drive: Doubt anything a salesman tells you!

jarchdeacon

Does anyone know what the "Limited Engagement Winter Event" is about on the Infiniti website? I asked my local dealer and I got back ("don't know, but I'll let you know once I find out"). I'm interested in an '05 coupe (on my short list for a new car) and was sorta waiting on one to arrive with a wood package and other wanted items like the NAV system. But if the "limited" event is something special, maybe I won't wait.

Also - the black coupe does not seem to be available with the new Grey Leather (via the Infiniti build tool on the web), but this interior / exterior colob combination is available for the Sedan. Anyone know if this is a temporary phenomenon or what? Doesn't make much sense to me to limit this combination to the Sedan...

xbomber

Have any of you 6MT owners out there experienced an annoying vibration in the stick shifter while cruising. The more the engine revs, the worse the vibration. Does anyone have a fix? The dealer looks at me with that glazed over, "I don't have a clue" look. I never experienced this in my manual trans cars, even those costing less than half the Infiniti.

colonel35

I noticed the vibration on my first test drive, and while I found it annoying at first (especially having come from a buttery-smooth BMW inline six driveline), either it's calmed down over the past 30k miles or I've gotten used to it. Either way, it's not nearly as objectionable as it used to be, and I do believe it's normal.

ezshift5

..coupe M/T technology has reputedly been sharpened. Less shift effort was to be addressed. Not sure about vibration issues.....ez

javajam66

Hi all,

  

I'm a newbie totally and I'm at a crossroads. I'm trading my Lexus GS300 in and am considering the G35 as its replacement. I've always lusted after the coupe but like the way a sedan feels. So basically, since I haven't test driven the coupe can anyone give me some ideas? I currently have a deposit on a 2003 G35 sedan with navigation and under 20K miles for about $26K but I spoke with another dealer who can get me just about the same deal on a coupe. Any and all feedback is welcome!! Also, does anyone think the pricing is too high? I want to negotiate some more but don't really know how much more room there is.

  

Thanks!

marauder73

You are trading a nice car! Why are you tired of the GS? It is not easy to advice you on your next purchase, since there are such glaring differences between the coupe and sedan. If you are planning on driving this car primarily by yourself to and from work, I would say go for the coupe, but if you have a family of 4, go for the sedan. Personally, if I had another car to pile the family into, I would not hesitate to get the coupe, it is simply the most rewarding car I have ever driven for the money! I just test drove the 2005 G35 Coupe 5AT and it was beautiful! I am holding out for the 6MT coming out later this month. Take a test drive in the Coupe, and you will forget about all other cars. Go ahead and be selfish, get the coupe!

geevee36

i have an 03 g35 coupe 6 spd with 26,000 miles. the car has all options except nav. i have taken very good care of the car but now need a 4 door. i have been offered 25,000 by a dealer. is this fair?

scanty

In the Real World Trade-in Values board. Give as much detail as possible, including your location, and he can give you a very accurate quote as to what your car is worth.

Mr_Shiftright

you can get to "real world values" HERE

 

Shifty the Host

hwy1

I'm looking to buy the G35 coupe and I drive the windy coast highway 1 in CA. a lot and upgraded my last car with sport shocks-so I'm used to a fairly stiff ride. I wanted owners opinions on if the sport suspension has any significant down side. I test drove 1 without the s.s. and it handled well, but am interested in if it will be too stiff on the freeway or any other issues.

fredmcmurray

Whether the suspension is too stiff or not is really a matter of personal preference. What is too stiff to one person may well be too mushy to another. That is really something you need to figure out yourself with extended test drives.

I don't mind driving every day on a coilover suspension that would probably make most people miserable.

I can't speak for the coupes, but I did drive the G35 sedan with and without the sport suspension and would never consider one without the sport suspension. Without it, it just seems like an ordinary family sedan to me. With it, it is right behind the IS300 and 330i (with sports suspension) in terms of feeling like a true sports sedan.

slotmaker

Its way stiff, I have an 04 Sedan with the Sport package and the premium package! Drive in the cit ystreets to see if you can live with it!

gmoney1

I was wondering if anyone knows how much faster the 2005 g35 coupe 6mt was to 0-60 compared to the 2004, as the 2005 has 18 more horsepower

gmoney1

taminatorv

I've got a 2005 G35 Coupe 6MT on order and am a bit curious myself. Along with the horsepower gain, it lost 10lb/ft torque at the peak, so I would think any advantage would be small. I'd like to see a dyno chart of an '03-04 model versus an '05.

Tam

bronzeback

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN THE G35 COUPE WILL BE AVAILABLE WITH THE WOOD TRIM? mY LOCAL DEALER TELLS ME SRING OF 05, THEN SAYS SUMMER.I DONT THINK THEY REALLY KNOW